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Anne Davies visits Leprosy Colony in Nigeria
Published on July 16, 2008
In June 2008 Anne travelled with Kate Okonkwo and Ivonne Hannaford to Nigeria to audit the needs of a leprosy colony - a joint project between BOAT (Banner over African Troubles) and Jigsaw4u. Kate’s father had provided medical care 40 years ago and Kate wanted to review their progress. The plan was that we would all use our expertise to research the needs - Kate working with the views of the men, Ivonne with the women and Anne with the children and young people and to agree an action plan for intervention.
The leprosy colony is based in Oji River, a 12 hour bus journey north east of Lagos. Leprosy is a curable and in many ways a forgotten disease. If treatment is provided in the early stages of the disease it prevents disability but if left untreated the effects are not reversible. As at end of 2006, the country had 4,830 registered leprosy cases of which 3,554 were newly detected
General information discovered
- The colony has 250 adults living within it 130 women and 75 children and young people
- The men age from 16 to 60
- The women age between 18 and 82
- There are some 3 generation families with only the first having leprosy
- Very little maintenance has been provide over the last decades, roofs are leaking and many living units are derelict and unfit for use.
- Beds in the community wards were about 50 years also with 50 year old mattresses (without covers)
- One woman had a prosthesis that was about 30 years old and growing fungus
- 3 new patients were aged 17/18 years old and the 18 year old had to have her legs amputated as a result of untreated leprosy
Feedback from the children and young people
I had a wonderful time talking with a larger group of the children and young people, who were full of fun, energy and hope and who gave a brilliant tour around their community. They showed me an area that had old climbing frames that needs a coat of paint to brighten them up and a field that could be easier clean and levelled in order to make a football pitch. Alongside of this area was a disused workshop and the primary school - they would love a basket ball ring to be attached to the wall.
Further back is an Anglican church - they think that about half of the families are Catholic and their church is a long way away.
They walked me around the areas where their one room homes - many of which were in a very poor state of repair and they talked of the need for a community centre where they could meet and talk, watch TV - especially Chelsea football matches, share books and use computers.
They enjoyed school and want the opportunity to gain as much education as possible. After their school day they “go hawking” for money for food etc after school - begging alongside of the roads. Any money gained is put into the community budget. They also help their parents with their plots of land on which they grow cassava
Aspirations
The children and young people explained that hey receive primary education on site, some of the young people wanted to be lawyers, doctors, newscasters and a mathematician - in Nigeria free education is available until Year 3 of secondary education but in order to access it they need to be able to buy books, uniform and to be acceptable to the school as a resident of a leprosy colony - they requested school sponsorships.
Requests
- One 4 year old boy asked for a red ball for one 4 year old and the others asked for 5 footballs for everyone to share. We bought those from the market and arranged for them to be delivered
- They were given stationary packs of pens and pencils - which they enjoyed - next time we will take more.
- School sponsorships
- Wanted sports gear - would be great to have Chelsea old kit and basket ball gear
- Books
- Laptops. We would need to explore the possibly using solar power to recharge the batteries and safe ways of accessing the internet. Local trainers would be able to provide IT skills which would increase employability
- Develop community centre and recreation facilities
Action Plan
To increase the sense of community, promote sustainability by developing microeconomic projects, breakdown stereotyping by public awareness training thus increasing the possibility or re-integration.
- Short-term - to collect manual sewing machines and gardening equipment to enable the adults to use their existing skills.
- Arrange distribution and monitoring arrangements
- Medium term - return to develop a recreation/community centre including medical facilities
- Long term - sustainability and reintegration
